role of prehabilitation in hamstring tendon ACL reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common procedure, with hamstring tendon autografts frequently used. Post-operative rehabilitation plays a crucial role in recovery, and prehabilitation, or pre-surgical rehabilitation, has shown potential in enhancing post-operative outcomes. Despite its proven benefits in other surgical fields, the specific role of prehabilitation in hamstring tendon ACL reconstruction remains understudied. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a prehabilitation program on muscle strength, knee function, range of motion (ROM), and overall recovery time in patients undergoing hamstring tendon ACL reconstruction. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 60 patients scheduled for hamstring tendon ACL reconstruction at BIRRD HOSPITAL. Participants were randomly assigned to either a prehabilitation group (n = 30), which underwent a 4-week pre-surgical exercise regimen focusing on strength, flexibility, and proprioception, or a control group (n = 30), which received standard care without pre-surgical intervention. Outcome measures included knee function (IKDC and Lysholm scores), muscle strength (measured through isokinetic testing), and ROM, assessed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-surgery. The prehabilitation group demonstrated significantly improved knee function, muscle strength, and ROM at all follow-up intervals compared to the control group.